A respite of less than two weeks and Massey College 1st and 2nd XV's met two Victoria XV's, the first of the latter winning under greasy conditions, by 6 points to 5; the seconds' game ending, appropriately, in a draw, 6 all. Victoria's remaining inter-College fixtures this season are with Canterbury and Auckland, no dates having yet been finalised.

North v. South

Attracted by the Universities' reputation to play fast, open football, some 8,000 spectators saw North Island defeat South Island, at Athletic Park, on Wednesday, July 6, by 13 points to 9. Despite the fact that North Island scored only two tries to the losers' three, their win was well merited on the general run of play. North's superiority was evident in the scrum, the forwards having a shade more life and slightly more speed close to the scrum. The outstanding performers on the day were G. A. Drummond, D. S. Goodwin, H. E. Greig and R. O'Connor. Drummond the CUC and Canterbury rep winger, who apparently had not impressed the selectors overmuch prior to the game, as he was emergency only up till Bolting's withdrawal through Injury, scored three scintillating tries. His pace and fend kept his opposing wing. Stevens, well on defensive most of the time. Victoria's Goodwin, as first five-eighths for North, turned on his best performance of the season, his play in all departments being near to perfect and giving North's back-line a definite sting on the offensive. Another Victoria representative who excelled himself was full-back Greig, his fine kicking actually winning the game for North. All the forwards got through a great amount of work. O'Connor on the back of the South scrum being outstanding for his line-out and general play R. B. Burke and G. D. Gordon, the opposing bookers fought an Interesting duel, and actually came out about evens. The performances of R. Jacobs and R. Monigatt at half for the respective teams were commendable, the local lad slightly shading the southerners The game was played at a very fast pace and provided the onlookers with at times, some scintillating movements rarely seen so far this season.

NZU v. Wellington

With the wealth of talent available, the NZU selectors' task on Wednesday evening was far from easy, the team which took the field on Saturday, July 6, however, being well up to provincial standard, and including Victoria representatives Greig, Goodwin, Jacob, Burke and Shannon.

Athletic Park was again in good condition and the weather excellent, a crowd of over 14,000 being present. Universities, from the outset, with Burke hooking, had a plentiful supply of the ball, the backs thus having many opportunities and thrusting deep, to be met on most occasions by solid opposition. The general brightness of the play can be gauged from the fact that of the total points only seven came from kicking, the remainder being the result of tries, of which there were nine. All of these followed sustained forward and back moves or sparkling dashes by the backs.

N.Z.U. Rugby Blues—Victoria Representatives

Massey v. VUC

Massey arrived in force in special buses on Wednesday last, their supporters far outnumbering their players and, incidentally, also outnumbering the few evident VUC supporters. Despite the frenzied barracking of the Masseyites their stalwarts could not quite overcome Victoria.

Kelburn Park was far from perfect when the main game commenced, a steady drizzle making conditions worse as the game progressed, and making the ball most difficult to handle. Despite the poor conditions, as one Wellington paper pointed out. "the teams turned on a display of back movements that would not have disgraced representatives under perfect conditions." Victoria's firsts were far from full strength, with five forwards and one back not available but with a number of Senior B players filling in the gaps admirably. Massey were given strong opposition. The back-line mastered the sticky ball and with Jacob feeding the line well the backs made many bright movements. Until injured, Goodwin played magnificently. Radich, outside him, went well in his new position, and the centre. A. MacLeod, and wingers Loveridge and Berry, made a very strong attacking force. Peters, a third-grade player, who replaced Goodwin, further enhanced the reputation of the Third A team by his sure handling, dashing runs and solid tackling. In the forwards Burke, Gardner and Bennett were conspicuous in set scrums, while Barraclough and Coleman excelled in the loose rucks. As the score Indicates the game was by no means one-sided, and at times Massey were swarming over Victoria's line.

The visitors seemed, however, to rely mainly on their fine pack of forwards led by Gunnell, and gave their backs fewer chances than Victoria's. Points were scored as follows:—For VUC: a penalty by Gardner and a try by Loveridge, For Massey: two penalties by Wright. Mr. Ian Ramsay's fine refereeing was [unclear: of] great [unclear: aralstance.]

An Interesting curtain-raiser to the main match was provided by Massey seconds and a combined VUC lower grade team, this ending in a draw. 6-6

Teams' Progression

Not only in the inter-College sphere has entertaining rugby been played. The senior XV has maintained its consistent record and enters the Jubilee Cup competition at the top of the ladder, one point ahead of Athletic.

From now on the pace will indeed be "on." but the seniors look with confidence to the end of season function, when they, along with the rest of the club, have every hope of receiving the coveted Jubilee Cup.

Senior B. in its position of 10th equal out of 15 teams, has, perhaps, given up hopes of gaining the Harper-Lock Shield, but at the same time looks forward to a series of wins from now on.

Plodding along steadily, both Junior teams have enjoyed their Saturday canter, the A's still being in a fairly dangerous position to the championship leaders, the B's standing 10th out of 14 teams.

The club's brightest prospects of championship honours, outside of Senior A. lie with the Third 1st and 2nd Division aides. Placed 3rd and 4th equal in their respective grades, both 3A and 3B have worked up into strong combinations. The keenness of the tram members is shown by their excellent attendance at practices even under the worst of conditions. 3B was recently alarmed at persistent rumours that one prominent member was considering giving up his rugby to commence training for a less vigorous summer sport but If is understood that the rumours were entirely false.

And what of the seventh XV? Well, Third C may not have met with great success but they have given their opponents some excellent games and are improving their individual play each week. More regular attendance at practices by some members might just turn the scales in the team's favour in future games.

VUC's position in overall Club Championship: 7th out of 31 clubs.

In the first match of the Jubilee Cup series the 1st XV defeated Petone 15-9.